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House sitting has been around long before the term "gig-economy" came into circulation. In short, it's the act of looking after someone else's home and its possessions, such as pets and plants, for payment or board.
And now it's easier than ever to turn it into a lucrative side hustle by saving money on accommodation.
You can get your foot into the world of house sitting by signing up with a house sitting website/agency or by word of mouth.
Popular house sitting websites in Australia include the following:
These sites allow homeowners to search for house sitters and vice versa. Homeowners are sometimes allowed to access the service for free, but house sitters are charged a fee to use the platform.
It's important to note that more often than not, house sitters aren't paid. What they are provided with is free accommodation for the period they've agreed to house sit.
It's important to note that more often than not, house sitters aren't paid. What they are provided with is free accommodation for the period they've agreed to house sit. At times, food may be left for the house sitter as well. However, it's often common that house sitters must pay for the utilities during their stay.
In return, you are accepting a variety of responsibilities, such as the following:
To sign up to each site, you'll be required to create a profile and to submit your contact details and personal references. These will be verified by the house sitting site before you are allowed to apply for house sitting opportunities.
Any references or document checks will be displayed on your profile for owners to see.
On top of your given responsibilities, such as taking care of the home and its pets and keeping everything safe and secure, there's general etiquette you're expected to follow. Especially if you would like to receive a good house sitting review.
Do:
Don't:
House sitting jobs can be short week-long stints or long year-long stays. It depends on the homeowner's needs.
The length of the stay will be on the ad, so you can decide before applying if you're capable of committing.
TrustedHousesitters | Aussie House Sitters | Mindahome | Happy House Sitters | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Membership fee | $99 per year - house sit worldwide | $84 per year | $59 per year - house sit Australia-wide | $65 per month |
Short sits | ||||
Long sits |
We chatted to Madolline Gourley, house and cat sitter, on how else you can save and earn money through house sitting.
On my last trip, an Austin couple gave me a $100 gift card for Whole Foods (American grocery store).
On my last trip, an Austin couple gave me a $100 gift card for Whole Foods (American grocery store).
I've also been given the use of a guy's public transport pass in Boston. This would have saved me about AUD$100 over the 2-week stay.
Most, if not all, of the people I've sat for have said I'm welcome to anything in the fridge and pantry, and don't have to replace it. And about half the people I've sat for have had vegetable gardens and encouraged me to eat from them. Some have even shouted me meals or cooked me dinner.
People have also picked me up from the airport and driven me back. This has saved me a lot of money given most airport rides are US$30+. So there's a lot of less obvious savings to be had in addition to the free accommodation.
I am still technically employed when I travel... And, obviously, in countries like the USA, you'd need a special visa or sponsorship to work while house sitting. But if you run your own online business, which a lot of people do, then obviously, you can work as you go! Or if you're in a country that has relaxed foreign working conditions, then that would also be an option.
If you run your own online business, which a lot of people do, then obviously, you can work as you go!
I also run/ran a small editing and proofreading business. And it still exists, but I don't put much effort in getting the business's name out there. Or attempting to get clients. I mean, I could make money off this while I travel, but editing people's assignments (e.g. PhD submissions) are very time consuming and draining.
One of the biggest draws to house sitting overseas is having the chance to travel with free accommodation. Yes, you will still have responsibilities while away, but if you don't mind looking after a home and its pets, this could save you a truckload in holiday expenses.
Similar to starting off in your home city, you can get started with house sitting by signing up to a service that offers stays in your desired location and applying for jobs. TrustedHousesitters is one site that offers housesits around the world, particularly in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada.
Picture:GettyImages
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